E-Whiskers Add Touch to Prosthetics

Jul-06-18 Electronic whiskers could offer a novel way to significantly improve the touch-sensitivity of prosthetic designs.

Developed by a team from the University of Texas, the e-whiskers were inspired by the way seals use their whiskers to gather details about their environment. The whiskers are made up of a shape-memory polymer that will become flexible when exposed to heat, and are equipped with a layer of tiny strain sensors. When the whiskers stand up in response to a current of hot air, the sensors measure conditions such as force, pressure and the texture of a surface, similar to the sensation of touch.

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[MEDGADGET.COM]
[UTDALLAS.EDU]

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